Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics

by Hillel

• ISBN13: 9780123486554
• ISBN10: 0123486556
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-10-22
• Publisher: Elsevier Science

Summary

An abridged, student-oriented edition of Hillel's earlier published Environmental Soil Physics, this is a more succinct elucidation of the physical principles and processes governing the behavior of soil and the vital role it plays in both natural and managed ecosystems. The textbook is self-contained and self-explanatory, with numerous illustrations and sample problems. Based on sound fundamental theory, the textbook leads to a practical consideration of soil as a living system in nature and illustrates the influences of human activity upon soil structure and function. Students, as well as other readers, will better understand the importance of soils and the pivotal possition they occupy with respect to careful and knowledgeable conservation.

Table of Contents

LIST OF TEXT BOXES	xi
PREFACE	xiii
Part I BASIC RELATIONSHIPS	1	(36)
1 SOIL PHYSICS AND SOIL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS	3	(16)
2 WATER PROPERTIES 1N RELATION TO POROUS MEDIA	19	(18)
Part II THE SOLID PHASE	37	(54)
3 PARTICLE SIZES, SHAPES, AND SPECIFIC SURFACE	39	(14)
4 CLAY, THE COLLOIDAL COMPONENT	53	(20)
5 SOIL STRUCTURE AND AGGREGATION	73	(18)
Part III THE LIQUID PHASE	91	(96)
6 WATER CONTENT AND POTENTIAL	93	(34)
7 WATER FLOW 1N SATURATED SOIL	127	(22)
8 WATER FLOW 1N UNSATURATED SOIL	149	(18)
9 SOLUTE MOVEMENT AND SOIL SALINITY	167	(20)
Part IV THE GASEOUS PHASE	187	(26)
10 GAS CONTENT AND COMPOSITION	189	(12)
11 GAS MOVEMENT AND EXCHANGE	201	(12)
Part V COMPOSITE PHENOMENA	213	(44)
12 SOIL TEMPERATURE AND HEAT FLOW	215	(20)
13 STRESS, STRAIN, AND STRENGTH OF SOIL BODIES	235	(22)
Part VI THE FIELD WATER CYCLE	257	(106)
14 WATER ENTRY INTO SOIL	259	(24)
15 SURFACE RUNOFF AND WATER EROSION	283	(14)
16 REDISTRIBUTION AND RETENTION OF SOIL MOISTURE	297	(18)
17 GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE AND POLLUTION	315	(22)
18 EVAPORATION FROM BARE SOIL AND WIND EROSION	337	(26)
Part VII SOIL-PLANT-WATER RELATIONS	363	(64)
19 PLANT UPTAKE OF SOIL MOISTURE	365	(20)
20 WATER BALANCE AND ENERGY BALANCE IN THE FIELD	385	(22)
21 IRRIGATION AND WATER-USE EFFICIENCY	407	(20)
GLOSSARY	427	(16)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	443	(42)
INDEX	485